It is true that he is resigning?

I still cannot digest the fact that the colleague who is sitting next to my desk is resigning soon. I come to office everyday asking the same question; You confirm resigning? After 8 years of working closely with him, we have developed a very close working relationship. We always back each other when the boss starts throwing "darts" at us. I am sure gonna miss him especially when he can't shield me anymore from the "darts".